When we built an addition there was a requirement that footings had to be poured on “undisturbed soil” so they could limit/prevent new building on landfill areas. The guy that assessed the footing base used a long pole with what looked like a tin can on the end, with the lid partially cut at an angle so he could use it to scoop out soil.
He walked up to the excavation, used the “can” on a pole to push down and take a scoop of soil from where the footings were going in, and then held it up to his face and “assessed” the soil. Based on that analysis he filled out the engineering assessment (in pencil) and declared the soil base acceptable for our footings. We then paid him $400 (IIRC) for his work. Not a bad gig if you can get it.
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